Derry and Strabane council monitoring southern cars using recycling centres

Derry DUP councillor, Maurice Devenney has received "aggressive" complaints from Donegal people angry at the closure of Derry and Strabane's recycling centres. PICTURE: Margaret McLaughlin

Seamus McKinney

23 May, 2020 01:00

Moving along the border crossing point between Bridgend Co-Donegal in the Republic of Ireland towards Derry in Northern Ireland.The road sign has been vandalised in a paint attack. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 6-12-17 / see Brexit.

DERRY City and Strabane District Council is to update members on the numbers of Donegal people using northern recycling centres to dump waste.

The authority, which re-opened five recycling centres in Derry and Strabane this week, said it was monitoring the number of southern-registered vehicles using the facilities.

A spokeswoman said the dumping of “cross border waste” was reviewed on an ongoing basis.

While use of northern recycling facilities is free, in Co Donegal there are charges for the disposal of some items.

DUP councillor Maurice Devenney raised the issue at a meeting of the council.

Mr Devenney, who is from Co Donegal, said he was contacted by some people who had complained “very, very aggressively” about the decision to close recycling centres because of the coronavirus crisis.

He said when centres re-opened, motorists should be asked to present a driving licence or utility bill to show they are living in Northern Ireland.

The re-opening of recycling centres on Monday was met with large tailbacks.

The council spokeswoman said a full report on the numbers of Republic of Ireland vehicles using the Derry and Strabane centres would be presented to the next meeting of the environment and regeneration committee.

She said that while some users may live outside the council area, they may own property within the region.

“Council continues to remind people from outside of the council area that, where possible, they should limit travel and should use services and facilities in their own areas,” she added.